~"The truth doesn't cost anything, but a lie could cost everything."
Panic settled over me. I began hyperventilating, my lungs quickly taking in and releasing air. It was as if I were willfully drowning in water, asking for water to rush in my body and let me stop breathing.
How do I answer?
"Luna? What's going on?" Soren gingerly placed his hand on my arm, his fingers dragging across the scars.
I flinched, defensively pulling my arm back. My breath hitched. "I-"
Suddenly, footsteps pounded on the cold marble floors. "Soren," Dr. Egemen demanded, "I need you to aid me in surgery right now, since Lunara can't."
I closed my eyes and my tense muscles relaxed, the corners of my mouth curling up into a slight smile.
Opening my eyes, I saw Soren glance at me before walking out of the room, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry that you're now on the list of people I've lied to.
As I watched the two take off, I looked up, staring at the ceiling. My heart raced as I recalled what had just happened.
I almost got caught.
And to be honest, I wasn't sure if I felt relief or sadness from this. Nobody knew my secret, but would it have really been terrible to tell?
You're selfish, Lunara — nobody is law should carry your burden; you're enough of a bother. In fact, you don't need help at all. There are people who suffer worse.
With this in mind, I began to gently tug my IV, pulling it out. I detached my finger from the monitor's clip, and slowly stood, my arms pushing me off the bed.
The room swam before my eyes, the white filter again coming over my eyes. Despite the lightheadedness, I willed myself to walk across the room, opening the door of the room.
I never thought I would be one to run away.
YOU ARE READING
A Chest of Lies
Genç KurguMy fingers wrapped around the fraying rope of the wood swing; which was tied to the ancient, decaying chestnut tree. I swung, allowing gravity to play as my legs swayed up and down. "Lunara," my mother called, slipping her head out of the house doo...
